Coal-trimming device



APPLICATION FILED APR.20, I918.

G. B. HOLBERT.

COAL TRIMMING DEVICE.

Patented June 21, 1921'.

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QUOTA 1e 4 -G.- BLHOLBERT. 4 0M TRIMMING DEV ICE. APPLICATION FILED APR-20, I918. v Patented June 21,1921.

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avwewfoz UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. HOLBERT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COAL-TRIIVIMING DEVICE.

T0 aZZ whom, it may concern: r

5e it known that LGEoRon B. hoLBnRr,

citizen of the United States, and a resident of specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for coaling vessels, and is especially adapted tor use in distributing the coal from lighters or barges into the bunkers of vessels in port making ready to sail.

The present invention constitutes a development of and an improvement on the apparatus forming the subject matter of the prior patents to Louis A. De Mayo, No. 797,364, dated August 15, 1905, and No. 881,429, dated March 10, 1908, and is directed particularly to an improved apparatus for distributing the coal into the various bunker-hatches of the ship.

In the prior patents referred to above a distributer is provided for use in conjunction with a coal elevator, which may be set up for use in the coal port of the ship and then disassembled and removed. In the present invention my prime object is to provide a distributer to replace the laborious and expensive operation of hand trimming, but which shall be adapted to be readily inserted into one of the coal port-holes, and readily removed when the'bunker is filled as desired, and then swung into another port-hole ready for immediate use in filling another bunker.

A further object is to provide in conjunction with the coal elevator a coal distributor which shall be of such construction as to enable a coal bunker to be filled rapidly and evenly. the coal being distributed practically evenly throughout the whole space thereof, and not piled up at one point to be thereafter sboveled or otherwise evenly distributed.

To attain these and other obiects and advantarres of this invention to hereafter appear. I provide a suspended coal distributer, preferably in the form of a screw conveyer, whereby the coal is conveyed from the elevator into the bunker. and distributed therein. and then readily swung: out from the port-hole and into another immediately ready for use in filling another bunker.

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the coal elevator such as described in the prior applications herein referred to above with my improved distributing means Specification of Letters Patent. Pate t d J 21 1 Application filed April 20, 1918.

Serial No. 229,734.

port-hole or a ship ready to be along line of coal from the hold 11 of the barge or ligl'iter which is drawn up alongside the steamer to be roaled. From the top of the elevator the coal is conducted into the hopper 12 of the distributor 13 by any suitable means such as the spout 1. and discharge chute 15. The

hopper 12 is preferably not conical but pref-- erably formed with trapezoidal walls such as shown at 13 so that the fall of the coal through the chute is first broken by striking against the walls of the hopper. The impact is thus substantially reduced so that the coaldoes not strike against the knives of the distributor, vith full impact. In this way the knives are better i ae'ed'by the coal discharge.

in Fig. 2 I have shown a screw conveyer comprising a shaft 16 and the spiral blades 17. The shaft is journaled in bearings 18 and 19 and is driven by a motor 20, preferably electric. and hearing 21. It will. be noted that l have shown the motor as mounted on a platform 22 secured. to the hopper and conveyor so that the distributing means is a complete unit in itself which may be suspended by a cable such 23 from a b oom on the lighter or barge.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the distributer in position in a port-hole 2% leading to the bunker 25 as will be readily understood;

When this bunker is properly filled the distributer may be readily swung out from the port-hole and over and into another port-hole in a very simple andv quick operation, the conveyor and the driving means. therefor, being immediately ready for further use.

In. Fig. 2 I have shown a screw conveyer, the mechanism of which is inclosed in the cylindrical body 26 and the coal as it enters the conveyor from the hopper is forwarded on by the knives in a spiral motion and finally drops into the bunker from the forward end. In Fig. 1, however, I have shown a partially inclosed conveyor, the bottom being opened as at 2'? from a point beyond the porthole. With this modified form of 0911" preserved and not damskilled in the art for assembling and securmg the parts of the conveyor so as to form.

a unitary portable distributer. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings the hopper is suitably secured at one end at the top of the body of the con-, veyer by fastening means such as the rivets 28 passing through an extension 29 of the body or the hopper. The platform is similarly made part of the conveyer by a vertical brace 30 similarly'secured thereto and to the hopper, thus serving at the same time to brace the hopper. Any suitable form of bearing for the shaft 16 may be provided at each end of the conveyer.

In the form shown in the drawings 1 provide a casting 31 secured as at 32 to the body of the conveyer at the forward end, and to'the platform at the rear-end.

It will thus be clear that I have provided in conjunction with a coal elevator, a coal conveyer for distributing the coal into the bunker-hatches of a ship which effectively does away with the hand trimming process, distributes the coal rapidly and evenly 1n the bunker, and is provided with driving means forming a part of the whole distributing unit andwhich may be readily inserted into or removed from a port-hole in immediate readiness for operation.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: a

l. A portable distributer comprising a unitary construction embodying a casing having an opening in its under-side extending a considerable portion of its length, a hopper, a spiral conveyer extending from said hopper through said casing, and a motor connected to said conveyer in geared relation. V

2; A portable distributor comprising a unitary construction embodying a casing having an opening in its under side extending a considerable portion of its length, a housing, a hopper, a spiral conveyer extend ing from said hopper through said casing, and a motor in said housing connected to said conveyer in geared relation.

3.. A portable distributer comprising a unitary construction embodying a casing havin an o enin in its under side extend;

ing a considerable portion of its length, a spiral conveyer extending through said casing and means for driving said conveyer.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 16th day of April, A. D. 1918.

GEO. B. HOLBERT; Vitness:

NATHAN JMESSINGER. 

